Telework Employees

Telework Enhancement Act

Among other things, the Telework Enhancement Act specifies roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all Federal Executive agencies with regard to telework policies, employee eligibility and participation, program implementation, and reporting. Although the focus is primarily on Federal agencies, the statute does speak specifically to employees and employee requirements in a number of areas. Specifically, the Act states an agency’s telework policy:

Ensures that telework does not diminish employee performance;

Requires a written agreement between the manager and employee that outlines the specific work arrangement agreed to;

Provides that an employee may not be authorized to telework if that employee’s performance does not comply with the terms of the agreement;

Does not apply to any agency employee whose official duties require, on a daily basis, direct handling of secure materials determined to be inappropriate for telework or on-site activity that cannot be handled remotely at an alternative worksite;

Prohibits participation in telework by an employee who has been officially disciplined for being absent without permission for more than five days in any calendar year, or for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography on a Government computer or while performing official Government duties;

Requires an interactive training program for eligible employees and their managers; and it

Requires that teleworkers and non-teleworkers are treated the same for purposes of performance, appraisals, training, rewarding, reassigning, promotions, reducing in grade, retaining and rewarding employees, work requirements, or other acts involving managerial discretion.